BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Charleston Southern Buccaneers (0-8, 0-3)struck first, but couldn't hold on to the lead as they fell to the Runnin' Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb (3-5, 2-2) by a score of 14-7 on a cold, wet Saturday afternoon at Spangler Stadium.

Coming off of a strong performance in the second half of last week's game vs. Liberty, quarterback Richard Mounce got his first career start for the Buccaneers and went 13-of-34 for 159 yard, a touchdown and an interception. Nathan Perera was his most-often targeted receiver with five catches for 78 yards. Corvaugh Archie had three catches for 48 yards while Mike Davis had two catches for a total of 23 yards, including the lone touchdown of the day. The Bucs were able to out-gain the Bulldogs 251-237 with 82 yards on the ground and 169 through the air. GWU's 237 yards marked a season-low for the CSU defense.

On the ground, it was Mounce who led the effort with 24 carries for 54 yards. BJ Hackworth had 10 carries for 17 yards, while Keelyan Bryant picked up nine yards as well. Andy Brown punted 10 times for a total of 388 yards (38.8 avg), putting two inside the 20.

Michael Chocholousek led the Buccaneer defense with nine tackles, including a sack and a tackle for loss of seven yards. James Smith had 2.5 TFL and five total tackles, while Isaac McKenzie and Isaac Lowrance each recorded a sack. Demaris Freeman and Charles James each recorded seven stops, with James adding in a pass break up. James also ended the day with four punt returns for a total of 35 yards.

Chandler Browning was 4-for-6 for 78 yards for the Runnin' Bulldogs, while Lucas Beatty was 8-for-16 for 66 yards and a touchdown as GWU picked up 153 passing yards. Ricky Rhodes completed his lone pass attempt of the day for a nine-yard touchdown as well. Lyndon Leslie led all receivers with four catches for 85 yards, but it was Tray Schley's 9-yard reception and two touchdowns that paved the way for the Runnin' Bulldogs. They also picked up 52 yards from Ricky Rhodes and 45 more from J.J. Hubbard on the ground.

Marty Patterson had 20 tackles for GWU, while Maurice Dickinson had 10 and added four sacks. The GWU defense sacked Mounce a total of seven times and recorded two interceptions and 11 quarterback hurries.

Neither team got much accomplished in the first quarter, marking the first time this season the Buccaneers were able to hold their opponent scoreless in the first quarter. The two teams combined for just four first downs in the first 15 minutes of action as they ended the quarter with the score 0-0.

However, the Buccaneers were able to put together a strong drive to start the second quarter. Mounce hit Archie for 16 yards and a first down to bring the Bucs up to the GWU 34-yard line. Hackworth picked up a yard before Mounce rushed three times for a total of 22 yards and a first down. He then hit Davis for 11 yards and the touchdown. T.J. Higgins hit the extra point to make the score 7-0 CSU with 11:55 to go in the half.

The two teams continued to battle at midfield before a GWU punt went into the end zone for a touchback, giving the Bucs the ball at their own 20-yard line. Two sacks on Mounce left the Buccaneers on their own 8-yard line as they were forced to punt. A 42-yard boot by Brown gave the Bulldogs the ball at 50, and they took advantage of the good field position. Beatty found Lyndon Leslie for a 25-yard hookup that picked up another 13 yards on a roughing the passer penalty on the Bucs. Starting on the CSU 14, Beatty found Schley for the 14-yard touchdown. Trever Austin's kick tied things up at 7-7 with 1:53 to go in the half.

Much like the first half, the second half started out with both teams struggling to move the chains. Halfway through the quarter, Gardner-Webb picked up the first first-downs by either team, but made it to the CSU 7 before turning the ball over on downs. The trend continued, as CSU picked up four more first downs on their next drive. A 16-yard run by Mounce brought the Bucs to the GWU 20, but they would only make it as far as the 15. A Brown field goal attempt went wide left to give the ball back to the Bulldogs on their own 20.

Gardner-Webb was able to march down the field, with a 16-yard pass to Schley picking up the first down at their own 43. Rhodes then carried the ball twice, picking up 40-yards and the first down. On second-and-two at the CSU nine, Rhodes found Schley in the end zone for the nine-yard touchdown. An Austin kick put the Bulldogs ahead 14-7, where they would remain for the rest of the game.

The Buccaneers will return to Charleston on November 5 for a Big South tilt with Stony Brook. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at Buccaneer Field.